The extension of Metrolink to the Trafford Centre and the building of the Manchester Airport relief road are now set for the go-ahead.

That is down to an ‘innovative’ deal that gives Greater Manchester the power to decide which major projects it backs being signed off.

The area has become the first in the county to agree an ‘earnback’ deal with government, which enables it to invest in the schemes it feels are the most important.

And when these projects lead to extra tax revenues being generated, Greater Manchester can claim back up to £30m a year of them to plough into fresh projects.

Greater Manchester’s Local Enterprise Partnership – the body charged with plotting its future prosperity – has identified, in partnership with its ten town halls and other partners, the two schemes it wants to back first.

They are the extension of Metrolink to Trafford Park and the £290m A6 SEMMS scheme, which would link the A6 at Hazel Grove, near Stockport, to Manchester Airport via the A555.

LEP chairman Mike Blackburn said: “Greater Manchester’s LEP is one of the strongest in the country and, together with our Combined Authority, provides a real and accountable institutional framework for arrangements that enable the UK’s big cities to invest in a sophisticated way and, crucially, to keep and reinvest a greater proportion of the economic benefits created if indeed they materialise.

“Earnback is a breakthrough that enables us to do that and the LEP strongly supports it. We are pleased this has been given the green light by the Treasury and we look forward to SEMMMS becoming a reality, with plans for Metrolink Trafford Park to follow as soon as possible.”

Earnback is part of the City Deal Greater Manchester agreed with government, which aims to devolve £500m of spending to local areas over ten years.

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